Sports Columnists

By ssiscribe

July 12, 2007 10:04 AM | Link to this

Like many, I have my doubts about Bonds’ methods. But whether you support Bonds or cast a wary eye toward him, he’s going to break the record barring a major injury.

So, Selig has to be there. He doesn’t have to like it, but he has to be there, plain and simple. It’s like paying taxes: You have to do it. Doesn’t mean it’s enjoyable, but it’s required.

So, too, is it required for the commissioner to be there when the biggest record in baseball history falls.

—30—

By Really?

July 12, 2007 10:23 AM | Link to this

If Bonds hasn’t done anything wrong, why does his trainer refuse to testify against him and get thrown in jail? And do you honestly believe that he could go from 185 pounds to around 250 pounds in his mid-to-late 30s without some unnatural help? I’m sure Bonds has some excellent genes, but give me a break.

By Joe Bob

July 12, 2007 10:35 AM | Link to this

Are you kidding me? People there is no proof that he used steroids. You are innocent until proven guilty. Our court systems and the media keeps wanting to prove everyone guilty before they really are! If baseball didn’t want it to come to this they should have addressed and tested for steroids in the 80’s and 90’s when it first became popular. I’m sick of this &)O(&*# ! Bonds deserves to keep the record and he doesn’t need an asterisk by his name to point out to everyone “hey I may have used roids” The guy is flat out talented with or without help! I’m certainly not saying bonds is innocent but he is certainly not guilty until proven guilty. Now shut the hell up!

By CLG from the ATL

July 12, 2007 10:53 AM | Link to this

Thank you Joe Bob! Enuff said…period.

By phillip

July 12, 2007 10:58 AM | Link to this

People, taking steroids does not mean you are able to hit a 100 mph fast ball from Roger Clemmons or Randy Johnson,you still have to be a great baseball player to do that.Steroids is not some kind of magic potion! If that was the case I’ll take some and get into the major leauges!

By SweatDawg

July 12, 2007 10:58 AM | Link to this

When did the AP become such a Bonad fan. For the last 5 years the media has been to blame for all the mess surrounding Bonds. Now that he is on the brink of the record it seems as if the media is taking up for him. What a bunch of W*******!

By Mr. Gilley

July 12, 2007 11:10 AM | Link to this

Not even a fan of the game anymore but 755 plus homeruns is a milestone and Bonds should be credited regardless of how he did it or is accused of doing it. GOod STuff Joe Bobb. You should write a column. AJC should allow people to submit columns but call me during Basketball season

By Roswell Ed

July 12, 2007 11:14 AM | Link to this

Hands down he is the steroid eras greatest player.

Baseball has always had cheaters. Corked bats, greenies, spitballs, vaseline under the cap, tacks in gloves, nail files etc etc etc.

Acknowledge this great feat and lets move on from this.

Bonds is guilty of at least one thing. He is a first rate tool.

By Ken Myers

July 12, 2007 11:18 AM | Link to this

As much as Benign Bud Selig does NOT want to make a decision on the Barry Bonds issue, he better be there to honor Barry Bonds if he breaks Hank Aaron’s record. Remember the reaction to Bowie Kuhn when he was not there for Aaron’s 715th home run at Atlanta Stadium off of Al Downing in 1974? He was at a meeting of the Wahoo Club, a Cleveland Indians booster club. You fans in Atlanta were ready to hang Kuhn by his nuts.

By JawjaHillbilly

July 12, 2007 11:37 AM | Link to this

Juiced-up baseballs have as much to do with Barry’s BOGUS record as steroids. He should have TWO asterisks by his name! Even Hank should have an asterisk. Hank, (a much more talented home run hitter than Bonds), benefitted to a lesser degree, but benefit he did. Balls of the Bambino’s era were dead as a doornail; they were practically beaten to bean bags before being tossed from games. Today’s baseballs jump from the bat like Superballs. It’s a HUGE difference; the term “apples and oranges” comes to mind. There’s NO comparison.

The Bambino is still the King!! Anyone who knows anything about baseball and physics knows that!!

There is only one correct appraisal of the Bonds situation, and you just finished reading it!

By J

July 12, 2007 12:00 PM | Link to this

Joe Bob you idiot, the standard innocent until proven guilty only applies at a criminal trial not common sense …Only an idiot thinks that Bonds isn’t juicing…Everything from the physical growth, to the trainer mess, to becoming a slugger after he was in his 30’s…Selig doesn’t owe him crap and neither does anyone else…

By Corndawg

July 12, 2007 12:04 PM | Link to this

This country has a problem with a lack of leaders willing speak up for what their instincts tell them is right, despite what the media and public opinion polls say. Pardon the analogy but the same thing happened with the Iraq war: With the help of the media, a few politicians worked up a public opinion frenzy and, against better but unspoken judgment, got us to where we are today.

Selig is just like a politician riding poll numbers and Bradley you’re not far behind. The problem with Selig is not his lack of support for Bonds; the problem with Selig is he isn’t saying enough AGAINST Bonds. The question today is whether or not Bonds cheated, the question is what to do about it. Yes, Bud is a weak commissioner and was blinded by the homerun frenzy of the late 90’s, as were the media and the fans. But now that the outrage over these guys using steroids – Bonds, McGwire, Palmeiro, Sosa, etc – has somewhat dissipated in the media and in the public, Selig is required to join in and play along once again? Where is the leadership in that?

And correct me if I am wrong but isn’t Hank Aaron still black? And isn’t Hank Aaron shunning Bonds because his gut tells him Bonds knowingly cheated? Bonds chasing Aaron couldn’t have anything LESS to do with race. Way to muddy the waters Bradley.

I respect Aaron for taking a stand despite the criticism and accusations of “sour grapes” that he is facing. Perhaps Aaron will be proven wrong one day but at least he is doing what he feels is right, rather than blindly following what other less educated, less insightful people imply he should do. Where is Hans Blix when you need him?

By Corndawg

July 12, 2007 12:11 PM | Link to this

…I meant to say in my previous post: “The question today is NOT whether or not Bonds cheated, the question is what to do about it…”

By JordanPTC

July 12, 2007 12:20 PM | Link to this

Mark, you’re a putz. While Bud Selig may be even a bigger putz than yourself, no one can legitimately defend Bonds. Not even you, Mark. Unquestionably, Bonds took steroids. Bond’s own admission of guilt and a drug test would merely constitute direct evidence. BUT the circumstantial evidence, which includes outrageous stats during a period in which ALL other player’s stats decline coupled with enormous bodily growth during the same time period, can only lead a RATIONAL and REASONABLE person to conclude, beyond any shadow of a doubt, that Bonds took steroids. Selig is just too cowardly to confirm the obvious. Of course he knows Barry juiced, and because of that, his attendance at 756 would be MLB’s rubberstamp of blatant steroid use.

By jg

July 12, 2007 12:28 PM | Link to this

Babe should have an asterick by his record too, because he did not compete against all the best players of his era, since blacks, and hispanics were not allowed into the sport. How many Luis Tiants, Bob Gibsons, Fergie Jenkins, Satchell Paige did Babe face? How many fleet athletes may have pushed him for playing time. Steroids, if they were used do not help your hand eye coordination.

By ROID_KING

July 12, 2007 12:34 PM | Link to this

No class, no honesty, no recognizing his “record”. Hank, Bud…… stay FAR away!!!

No proof needed…… swollen head, line drive hitter becomes Babe Ruth? Trainer in Jail copping the 5th…..saty away Bud, stay away Hank….. let the whinner bask in his own ego.

By Turnin2

July 12, 2007 12:53 PM | Link to this

Doesn’t matter to me if, when, or where Bonds breaks the record - but what I don’t want is to see Bud Selig in Atlanta… please, why want Bud the Dud here for any reason?

That man has single-handedly ruined the fun of the ASG by ‘making it count’, turned a deaf ear on the drug issues for years, and well, I could go on and on about his stupidity - and he’s about as fugly as a man can get!!

He should be run out of the league on a rail - after being tarred and feathered… Record or no record!!

By ROID_KING

July 12, 2007 1:15 PM | Link to this

Baseball is to sports like Communism is to governments:

1) They added the welfare, I mean DH to prolong the run of one dimentional & old hitters who cannot field. They also made one leagur superior by removing a cinch at bat from the lineup.

2) To spice up the game, they brought in juiced baseballs so tightly wound that shortstops were hammering 40 HRs.

3) It turned away to the steroids being used because “homeruns fill the stands (buy tickets)”. They celebrated the steroid brother’s HR chase(McGuire & Sosa) and now are being forced by congress to impose stiff drug tests.

Baseball changed like pro wrestling. Now, our power hitters are built like Hulk Hogan instead of Ric Flair. Sid Vicious instead of Bob Orten Jr. Men getting BETTER in their 40’s instead of declining (Bonds, Clements, Randy Johnson).

Maybe baseball will go away…..it is just a placemat until Football season begins.

By JH

July 12, 2007 1:16 PM | Link to this

Joe Bob you are not getting it. No one is sending Bonds to jail. You can be guilty in the court of public opinion w/o ever being proved guilty by the law. And even before the steroids rumors, Bonds never did anything to improve his image in the opinion of the fans. He brought this on himself by both cheating (my opinion) and being a class A jerk.

The shame of it is, he was a lock for the hall of fame before he juiced up. And quite possibly had the tools to be considered the best ever. Now, all he can do is hit. He can’t even run to first base anymore.

All that said, how Bud can not show is beyond me. MLB made this bed, not it is time to lie down in it.

By rican_in _atl

July 12, 2007 1:17 PM | Link to this

You know something the sad part of all this is most of you that are questioning the whole Bond’s issue I can bet money that none of ya’ll haven’t play baseball a day in your life. You might have played REC baseball player maybe a HS bench warmer but not actually played. To become a good hitter steroids can’t just give it to you. You actually have to have skills. The difference between steroids is that it gives you a more power so a ball that might had gone 330 feet with steroid it goes 360 feet 370 feet. Steroids doesn’t give you magic and help you hit a ball it just give you more power helps you to heal faster from an injury that’s about it. When Mark and Sosa were racing for the Marist record everybody enjoyed they weren’t no roids comments or anything. Why cant we do the same enjoy this great hitter achievement with him without people talking about roids. I mean this is why the world is the way it is people hate on each other. Lets just enjoy this!!

By Die Hard Fan

July 12, 2007 1:20 PM | Link to this

I am not a fan of Barry Bonds or what is happening to Hank Aaron’s record, but Selig has to be there. He cannot remain neutral, although he has made a pretty good career of that. Staying away shows he cares neither for the record or the steroid issue. His “day job” has been an owner first and a commissioner dead last, caring only about filled seats and TV revenues, and we see the results.

As for the steroid issue, we may never know. I agree steroids do not help to hit a ball, but how did suddenly every ball Bonds hit have the ability to leave the yard. A true test would be to see if his throwing skills have improved. Remember this was the guy who could not throw out Sid Bream scoring from second on a very hard hit ball.

By Ke

July 12, 2007 1:22 PM | Link to this

Bud should come to Atlanta when Bonds is ready to break the record. He should have dinner every night with Hank Aaron until the record is broken.

By Malted Falcon

July 12, 2007 1:34 PM | Link to this

Joe Bob, you’re a dork.

By AaronC

July 12, 2007 1:36 PM | Link to this

Wouldnt it be great if all the fans in the stadium turned their backs on Barry when hits the record. Talk about powerful.

By Roswell Ed

July 12, 2007 1:38 PM | Link to this

I’m sooo proud of Barry that I would like to rent out the biggest billboard space I can find and congratulate the man.

Barry is your forehead available?

By ROID_KING

July 12, 2007 1:45 PM | Link to this

Hey rican_in _atl, Nobody ever said ‘roids would make a sorry player a great one. Bonds was a 285-300 hitter with 30-34 HR a year before the juice. Remember he was so “not clutch” the Braves walked Bonilla to pitch to Bonds in the 2 NLCS. Bonds was an easy out then.

Yes, I played baseball up to HS. Warning track outs and HRs are the difference of 20-30 ft. ‘roids take a 30 HR player to 45+.

By Chop Chop

July 12, 2007 1:54 PM | Link to this

I don’t care if Selig is there or not. Bonds will break the record and the record will stand. That’s all that matters.

Okay, with my own view out of the way, just think about it for a moment. In ten years, will you give a damn about whether some old, wrinkly, bespectacled white man was there to see the all-time home run leader (a black man breaking a black man’s record, mind you) hit the record-setter?

I guess that’s the real test.

By the way, Barry Bonds was an all-time great player before he even started using performance enhancers. (An aside here: Innocent until proven guilty is only a matter for juries and courts. I don’t hold people to that same standard outside of them. You don’t, either. Think about things that happen in your everyday life that you couldn’t “prove” in a court of law but that you strongly believe to be true based on the information available.) He was a Hall of Famer back then and didn’t have to take the easy road, but he chose to. Whether it was because of vanity, perceived lack of recognition, etc., only he can answer that. That’s why I don’t have a lot of respect for his morals. However, he’s still one of the best players in the history of baseball.

By ROID_KING

July 12, 2007 1:58 PM | Link to this

When the ‘roid twins were “chasing” Roger Maris record baseball chose to ignore the bulked up fakes because it was post strike and they NEEDED fans.

Aaron, Maris, Mays….look at their pysique compared to Bonds, A-Rod, McGuire & Sosa…….They were clean and STILL record holders in REAL fan’s eyes.

By Mark Bradley

July 12, 2007 2:01 PM | Link to this

I didn’t think there was anything that could make me feel sorry for Barry Bonds, but baseball’s rampant hypocrisy over this whole home-run thing (going back 10 years) has almost — I said almost — done it.

By IlliniBrave

July 12, 2007 2:05 PM | Link to this

Amazing.

The vast majority of baseball journalists still don’t have the balls to say what the vast majority of Americans feel in their gut to be true - that Bonds, like almost all of the great home-run hitters of the past 20 years, is a product of steroids. It’s a shame that these journalists have turned their backs on their own who lifted the veil on steroids in the book “Game of Shadows.” I’ve lost so much respect for Bradley and his ilk at AJC and ESPN and SI.

By ROID_KING

July 12, 2007 2:05 PM | Link to this

Why does this become a race issue. The man who holds the record (and always will to REAL fans) is Hank Aaron, a black man. If yo can choose between the classy black man who brought grace to the game or the arrogant black man who brings shame and disgrace, the choice is easy….The Hammer!

By jay

July 12, 2007 2:09 PM | Link to this

Bonds is one of the greatest players…period. How many of you in your 40’s has the same weight that you had in your 20’s ? Bonds is as talented as any player in history, with or without steroids.

By ROID_KING

July 12, 2007 2:12 PM | Link to this

Mark, you are right about the hypocrisy by baseball, but Bonds has shown fans and media distain and no respect. Why should we care?

By JawjaHillbilly

July 12, 2007 2:18 PM | Link to this

With pitching SO diluted, balls SO juiced, and fences SO close nowadays, even slap-hitters and pitchers hit opposite field homers.

The Babe on steroids would hit 1,500-2,000 homers in today’s juiced-up brand of baseball!

Bonds is NOTHING MORE than a chemically-transformed line drive hitter. He has tarnished the game and the home run record. The record will no longer be the greatest crowning achievement in all of sports. It now means absolutely NOTHING!!

By kevin

July 12, 2007 2:24 PM | Link to this

Rican in Atl you are a wanna-be baseball just like everyone else. What do we have to have your so-called expierence to have an opinion on steroids.What roid king said was exactly true. You said the difference in taking roids is adding another 30-40 ft. on a fly ball. Think of all the homeruns that would be outs over the course of a season. We are talking at least 15-20 balls that would be 30 ft. from the fence over, lets be modest and say 450 AB’s in a season. I would love to know how all that expierence in baseball worked out for ya!!!

By CAL

July 12, 2007 2:26 PM | Link to this

What if Bonds goes 20 games without hitting his big one? Is Selig or Aaron supposed to following Bonds around like a Deadhead?

By Matt

July 12, 2007 2:35 PM | Link to this

“wether or not he did steriods”… you have got to be kidding me. I don’t think bud should be there. I don’t think any fans should be there either. Let him break the record in an empty stadium. This record is all about Barry anyway, right? Let him enjoy it by himself then.

By Howard

July 12, 2007 2:55 PM | Link to this

Mark…you are a pandering little twit ande have to be one of the worst at the AJC and that’s saying something. If Barry Bonds was a white guy you and the others like you in the drive-by media would have crucified him long ago as he chased Aaron’s sacred record. And as for that idiot Selig being at the game or Aaron for that matter?? Who in the hell can read the future and tell exactly when Baroid would break the record…what do guys like Aaron and Selig do? Put their lives on hold and jet all around the country and wait for that juiced up Bonds to hit the record breaker?? He might hit a slump and not hit a homer for weeks or months. Explain that to me…you are pathetic!!!!!

By ChampDawg

July 12, 2007 2:57 PM | Link to this

I am not a Barry Bonds fan. Let’s make that clear from the start. BUT….. unless and until baseball addresses the steriod issue and gets serious with regard to all players and possible abusers, Barry Bonds’ performance is as legit as any other. Why discriminate against him and talk down about him just because he’s about to break Aarons record. Abuse is abuse. It’s as wrong to steal a base or get a single or pitch a strike-out while on ‘roids as it is to hit a home run. Until MLB investigates and handles the steriod issue, Barry’s performance is as legit as any other. Hate to say it but it is.

By SkyBlue

July 12, 2007 3:08 PM | Link to this

JawjaHillbilly,

Most people can definitely tell why you do not like bonds by completely trashing Hank Aaron’s homer record also.

Are you kidding me, you think Hank should have an asterick by his name because you believe the balls were a little juiced? And then you go on to a completely ignorant ideology to believe that Babe’s era was the only time that there was no cheating or anything involved with the baseballs.

Also, you want to say Babe was a better hitter?

First off, let me tell you a few things you did not mention about Babe’s time.

1. the outfields were much smaller, and during Hank’s and defintely today’s game, that would be like hitting a ball to center field before the warning track.

Furthermore, pitchers were a lot more talented in Hank Aaron’s era than Babe’s era.

And lastly, dont forget all of the death threats he recieved, which making the task of beating Babe’s record even more challenging and heroic as he past the mark.

So to say Hank needs an asterick by his name is absurd and ridiculous. Hank hit homeruns, base hits and Rbi’s better than almost anyone in the game for a very long time against very talented pitchers.

Look at all of the facts before you come up with a completely crazy idea of saying Hank needs an asterick by his name.

By How to slove this

July 12, 2007 3:12 PM | Link to this

Fast Ball, Ear Hole…… End of story and no record.

By ROID_KING

July 12, 2007 3:24 PM | Link to this

I wish EVERY picher would intentionally walk him from 754 until the day he retires. Bases loaded or not, give him NOTHING to hit.

By GT

July 12, 2007 3:28 PM | Link to this

The guy is playing and he broke the record. End of story.

By Phillip

July 12, 2007 3:34 PM | Link to this

The commish wasn’t there for Aaron…why should Selig have to possibly traverse the country for Bonds?

By jay

July 12, 2007 3:34 PM | Link to this

ROID_KING… you have some serious issues…. get a life !!!!

By ROID_KING

July 12, 2007 3:37 PM | Link to this

Hey GT, you forgot: and Georgia Tech will beat Georgia The Falcons will win the Super Bowl The tooth fairy leaves quarters

… end of story.

By ROID_KING

July 12, 2007 3:40 PM | Link to this

Hey jay,

“you can’t handle the truth”!

By chipdip

July 12, 2007 4:31 PM | Link to this

BARRY BOND IS A FRIGGIN’CHEATER…WIFE BEATER….FLAX SEED OIL?….AMPHETAMINE USER….TOTAL A-HOLE TOWARD THE PUBLIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!SCREW HIM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!AARON IS THE KING !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!SELIG SHOULD BE A MAN AND TELL HIM TO P** OFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!UP THE IRONS…MOTORHEAD!!!!!!!

By Russ Brock

July 12, 2007 4:59 PM | Link to this

The Babe and Hammerin’ Hank are the co-home run kings of baseball. I rank the Babe higher becuase he lost those two seasons pitching and averaged more homers per at-bat. Also consider the Babe’s crappy traveling conditions. Hank had it easy with first class seating on jet aircraft, AC, healthy food, etc. If Babe had had all Hank’s advantages, he might have hit a grand o’ taters! Bonds, McGuire and Sosa are the steroid kings. Nothing more. Put asstericks by all their names. The spelling is intentional.

By Lee

July 12, 2007 5:01 PM | Link to this

What? Bonds was juicing?

Next thing you know someone will be accusing professional wrestlers of doing the same thing.

Hey Bradley, I thought Terrence Moore was the only one allowed to race bait.

Oh wait, this is the AJC. Nevermind….

By Roy

July 12, 2007 5:07 PM | Link to this

He will never be the homerun king. He CHEATED!

By Scott

July 12, 2007 5:17 PM | Link to this

If black people are ignorant enough to think that Selig is ignoring Bonds because he is black, then why would even want those people as your customer? He’s ignoring Bonds because he’s black and constantly kisses Hank’s butt because he’s, what? White? Get off the race card. Black people aren’t that stupid to think that he’s ignoring Bonds because he’s black. He’s ignoring him because he’s breaking Selig’s hero’s record and did so because of steroids. Simple as that.

By Amber

July 12, 2007 5:20 PM | Link to this

If this is a race issue, why is a black man allowed to get away with anything he wants while a white man is becoming the scapegoat for the whole steroid debacle?

Idiotic.

I am sick of every baseball and sports talking head racing to excuse Barroid and bow down before him. So I’ll just tell my kids it’s really okay to cheat too, alright? You know, if other people did it and they can’t figure out who did and didn’t cheat, it doesn’t count. Right?

By Larry J

July 12, 2007 5:44 PM | Link to this

Whoa, Mark. Let’s remember some things while you’re trying to make Barry Bonds out to be a saint.

He has admitted to using a steroid-type cream (claiming he didn’t know what it was).

He has a personal trainer who has GONE TO JAIL TWICE for refusing to answer questions about Bonds. Hmmmm…would you spend time in jail if you didn’t have something to hide?

Don’t let facts get in the way of your Bonds hype.

I suppose you think Hank Aaron should be there too, huh?

By supa

July 12, 2007 6:01 PM | Link to this

Nice article Bradley. Bonds is innocent until proven guilty. Luckily, we live in a society where due process decides guilt, not anyone on this blog or in the stands.

Bud Selig represents Major League Baseball. If the “most hallowed record” in his organization was about to be broken, he should be there.

By phillip

July 12, 2007 6:41 PM | Link to this

First of all no disrespect,but what kind of pitchers did Babe Ruth go against?Those guys was still working part time jobs at a factory!Do you think Babe Ruth would have been able to hit a fast ball from Clemmons,Randy Johnson,Glavine,Nolan Ryan,Steve Carlton etc?don’t think so.

By Malted Falcon

July 12, 2007 6:41 PM | Link to this

No, wait. It’s true. I’m 42 and started working out and I’ve already gone up TWO shoe sizes. Amazing what honest, clean living can do for you. In truth, it sounds like a lot of you readers need lessons in physics and all the evidence is right in front of your eyes, a smoking gun in his hand in the form of a syringe. Barry HGH Bonds would’ve been one of the greats anyway if he hadn’t cheated. All I will remember now is that he cheated. And he did. I’m sick of people with opinions that don’t want to know the truth and just peddle their own agenda.

By Head_in_the_Sand

July 12, 2007 6:48 PM | Link to this

If you are stupid enough to think that Bonds didn’t juice, then I’m surprised you can find your way to a keyboard and post on this board. Bodies don’t inflate and swell as you get older—unless you’re talking about getting fat.

Bonds did not suddenly discover some super workout regimen and has never denied using steroids—just that he “thought he was using flax seed oil.” He knows the truth … and his flirting with the record is a shame to baseball. … Baseball is not innocent because they allowed this to go on, but they should at least have the fortitude to stop this non-sense instead of leaving their head in the sands about it.

By A-ville Ranger

July 12, 2007 7:18 PM | Link to this

Mr Bradley I have no respect for your opinions…zero.

By JawjaHillbilly

July 12, 2007 7:20 PM | Link to this

Bet Bonds and Aaron couldn’t do it drunk, like the Babe!!

BTW, some of the finest pitchers of ALL TIME pitched in Ruth’s era, (Babe himself being one), and they were spread over VERY few teams! A MAJORITY of today’s Major League pitchers would have never made it to the show back then… Not enough spots for them!!

By JawjaHillbilly

July 12, 2007 7:29 PM | Link to this

Most of you guys/gals know as much about the history of baseball as Barry Bonds knows about integrity… LOL

No offense, just being realistic.

By Turnin2

July 12, 2007 7:29 PM | Link to this

Bradley You feel SORRY for BONDS???? Ever heard the phrase, **”what goes around comes around”“”?

My distaste for Bonds has nothing at all to do with steroids or any other type of enhancement drug - as someone said, that doesn’t help you hit a monster fast ball out of the park 750+ times — my distaste for the man stems from his attitude all these years…he’s a Grade A, Primo Class 1AAA a*******h…. I mean jerk!

By Rick in Big D

July 12, 2007 7:49 PM | Link to this

Pete Rose didn’t bet on baseball. We need to fight them there so we do not have to fight them here. Sadam has WMD.George Bush is a bright guy …he traded Sammy Sosa for Harold Baines…. AND there is no proof that Barry Bonds used steriods or HGH. By the way the check is in the mail…

By Me

July 12, 2007 8:27 PM | Link to this

It’s pretty obvious Bonds is juiced but like MB says Selig presided over this era so he should suck it up and attend. Interesting that y’all should mention Bowie Kuhn not showing up for 715. Bowie and Bud should go down in history as two of the biggest travesties in MLB history. Bowie gave us the DH and Bud gave us interleague play. Baseball with a DH isn’t baseball at all. And interleague play is an abomination on the history of the game. By the way Harold Baines was a very solid ball player in his day.

By Jack

July 12, 2007 8:49 PM | Link to this

Bonds has never tested positive for steroids? I’m waiting for someone to say, “Bonds has always tested negative for steroids.” That’s a subtle difference, but with the way Butt Selig has kept his head in the sand with the steroids issue, he may have made sure Bonds hasn’t even been tested.

By Jawja Dumb@ss

July 12, 2007 9:04 PM | Link to this

Why was Yankee stadium dubbed the “house that Ruth built”? Because they built it specifically for him. A homerun down the right-field line was just over the 1st baseman’s head. It was 295ft. down the right field line in Yankee stadium from 1923-1936. Guess who reigned at Yankee stadium during those years. Should have been called the house built for Ruth. Yeah, he’s the greatest home run hitter of all time playing on a tee-ball field against watered down (white-only) competition. You guys are all jokes. Babe Ruth would have been relegated to DH status in his 3rd or 4th season. He would be a defensive liablility who’d never see the field in today’s NL game. And why does he not have an asterick beside any of his stats? Did he play against the best competition? HELL NO!!! That’s like saying the all-time GA private high school rushing leader was better than Herschel Walker. Jawja Hillbilly your name speaks volumes about your thought process before you type a single keystroke.

By Jawja Dumb@ss

July 12, 2007 9:05 PM | Link to this

Why was Yankee stadium dubbed the “house that Ruth built”? Because they built it specifically for him. A homerun down the right-field line was just over the 1st baseman’s head. It was 295ft. down the right field line in Yankee stadium from 1923-1936. Guess who reigned at Yankee stadium during those years. Should have been called the house built for Ruth. Yeah, he’s the greatest home run hitter of all time playing on a tee-ball field against watered down (white-only) competition. You guys are all jokes. Babe Ruth would have been relegated to DH status in his 3rd or 4th season. He would be a defensive liablility who’d never see the field in today’s NL game. And why does he not have an asterick beside any of his stats? Did he play against the best competition? HELL NO!!! That’s like saying the all-time GA private high school rushing leader was better than Herschel Walker. Jawja Hillbilly your name speaks volumes about your thought process before you type a single keystroke.

By Chris

July 12, 2007 9:46 PM | Link to this

I really think that Bud is undecided, because like Hank, I don’t think Bud wants to be forced to travel around airport after airport and town after town….I think we all have to remember too, that Bud (just as everyone else) has a family, he’s busy 365 days a year….

By Joey

July 12, 2007 9:52 PM | Link to this

Allright, I am not a huge Bonds fan but after a while I am starting to feel for him. Yes, he has been an arogant figure many times early in his career but he does not de-face the game of baseball. I’m sure he feels all alone on a planet by himself. Reality is, he hasn’t been found guilty of anything. I know there are many questions surrounding him like “how did he blow up so fast, or “why will his trainer not testify?” The media is trying so hard to find him guilty just to say “told you so.” Truth is, Bonds is a great hitter. Steroids can’t help you put a cylinder bat on a round ball at 90 mph. Yes, they can give you more power but you still have to put the bat on the ball. I think Selig will be dead wrong for not being there for him. If later proved that Bonds didn’t use, there will be a commish and many members of the media who will look and feel like a horses a*! Why don’t you center your negative microscopic eyeballs on the thugs and law breakers in the NFL and NBA. Do you ever see Bonds being arrested for DUI, DWI, brandishing a firearm, or felony drug posession? NO! Leave him alone and let the record fall where it may. Just because you are a famous athlete doesn’t mean you have to be a perfect poster child. Are you?

By Bo

July 12, 2007 10:28 PM | Link to this

**ROID_KING++ I agree with you 100%. Barry will never be the Man AARON was or is now. Bond is a joke ……..

By TampaBrave

July 12, 2007 10:30 PM | Link to this

If you can’t prove that Bonds is juiced, and it appears MLB is trying, then what does that say about the rest of the league. For all we know, a majority of players are juiced, including the pitchers. Ever wonder how Clemens continues to pitch so well into his forties? A-Rod is suspect. Ever see pictures of him when he first started? It amazes me that McGwire and Sosa get such a pass and Bonds, steroids or no steroids, leaves them in the dust.

By TampaBrave

July 12, 2007 10:44 PM | Link to this

By making this an issue, the commish will damage baseball. The baby will go out in the proverbial bathwater.

By alan

July 12, 2007 11:10 PM | Link to this

Mark Bradley is a 4th rate writer writing for a 3rd rate newspaper.

By Scooter

July 12, 2007 11:10 PM | Link to this

I’m quite tired of hearing about 756 homeruns being the “most hallowed record” in baseball. Think about it; if someone batted five times a game, then technically they could hit 810 homeruns in one year, or if they average one homer per game, then 162 per year for five years is also 810. Improbable as that sounds, it IS possible. Now for the most hallowed record in baseball; Cy Young winning 511 games in 22 years, a record that has stood for 96 years! You would have to WIN 30 games per year for 17 years, and you would STILL be one shy of the record! I have been a Braves fan since they moved to Georgia in 1965, and Henry Aaron is one of my favorites of all time (and Bonds is not), but I think that even the Hammer would agree about 511 wins. Give it a break, guys.

By Braves Fan 79

July 13, 2007 1:03 AM | Link to this

Bonds showed his true colors when he didnt play in the homerun derby. He couldnt even do it for his home fans! And his excuses were lame….he dosent have a pennant to chase in the 2nd half…the Giants Suck! Hes only 5 hr’s away from the record so whats hes gotta save his energy for? Couldnt even give his hometown fans a show….i lost whatever little respect i still had for the guy! And please dont tell me the guy couldnt hit 3 rounds of HR’s …..hes so pumped up from the roids even his head got bigger!

By keef1234

July 13, 2007 3:19 AM | Link to this

OJ was “innocent” too…AAron was class. Selig should NOT go. That would only validate a man who chemically altered the record books forever,

PLEASE stop the “guilty until proven innocent”…. The man’s HEAD is MUCH larger than when began. HEADS don’t grow after 21…let alone 70 pounds of muscle… Again, OJ was innocent too…Do YOU celebrate his post football accomplishments?

By ROID_KING

July 13, 2007 6:38 AM | Link to this

When I turned 40, all I did was get a big pot belly. My head didn’t grow twice as big, I didn’t become injury prone, I didn’t gain 75 lbs of muscle and ONLY GROWTH HORMONES can make a top level athlete perform BETTER AFTER 40 than at 26.

By p

July 13, 2007 7:45 AM | Link to this

5 HRs, about 80 games to do it. I’m going to go out on a limb and say that bonds will NOT get enough decent pitches to hit the last 5.

By Dane Clark

July 13, 2007 8:20 AM | Link to this

Well, like it or not Bonds will blow Hank’s numbers away this year. As the commissioner of baseball to set the story straight he should be there when the record is broken. If you let the man continue to play baseball after all of the allegations of steroid use and you don’t kick him out of the sport and you let him play then what’s the big deal. Stop all the whinning and complaining about the tainted record. Its gonna be a broken record made by an active player and it should not be lost in the scandle of that news story about someones personal agenda to smear a good name. Just think of the records tainted by Pete Rose and all that mess. Rose just got caught! The commissioner when Hank broke the record was not there and now this one says he may not be there. Sounds to me like race discrimination. Had it been Jeter or one of those beloved Yankees you bet you sweet back side he would be there. This just makes me sick. If its the record be there. If its a drug tainted thing get the man out of baseball. I think its just great to see that record broken. I did not have anything against Hank when he broke it and nothing wrong with this one either. Way to go Mr. Bonds! Way To Go!!!!!

By braveswin

July 13, 2007 8:41 AM | Link to this

Henry Aaron needs to get off his hind end and show up for Bonds coronation also.But I don’t think he has the class.He acts like he does’t owe baseball anything and maybe he’s right but it is an embarassment to Aaron and the Braves to have him not show.Bowie Kuhn should have been there when he broke the Ruth record and Aaron should get his bitter butt in a seat and show CLASS but I don’t think he has any to show…….SAD…

By Ned Simon

July 13, 2007 9:03 AM | Link to this

Steroids. No doubt it has helped Bonds but we will probably find out it helped many others both hitters and pitchers. Yes you can add muscle mass but as importantly is its value in recuperative powers..its almost like an energy boost. Rafeal Palmerio wasn’t Charles Atlas but at 40+ he was playing younger. While we all attack Bonds take a look at all the incredible shrinking MLP players past an present Sosa, Brady Anderson, even our own Chipper. Bonds is not alone…..just the best target. Commiss….you are link a bad parent.

By Mike

July 13, 2007 9:11 AM | Link to this

Ok, check this out. There are several sides to blame for the steroid era. First, is MLB. They let things ride and ride because they needed to fill the stadiums due to constant strikes/lockouts during the 80’s and 90’s. The chase for Maris’ record came at the right time for baseball to right itself with the fans. It was something to talk about all season. It worked and MLB let it work because it filled the seats. Second, the MLBPA. This organization fought tooth and nail against any type of drug testing even after the cocaine scandal in Pittsburg and the Steve Howe (for those that don’t know, tested postive seven times for drugs and was still allowed to play ball) incidents. MLB fought this battle of drug testing at every CBA and finally conceded each time because it was one issue that the MLBPA would not compromise on. Why is testing happening now and penalties enforced? Because Congress is involved and will step in at a moments notice and regulate testing for baseball and who knows where that will lead. Third, the owners and managers. You cannot convince me that managers didn’t know their players were taking things to improve their performance and that this information was kept secret from the owners. There were probably owners that encouraged it to put a winning club on the field.

Had this these three entities handled their business with integrity, steroids today would be a mute point. The problem would have been solved three decades ago. The players are going to do what they can get away with, bottom line.

If you really want to stop the steroids issue, try this. STOP paying these players these millions of dollars. Why? Pay me A-Rod’s salary and I guarantee that I can hire someone that can produce a performance enhancing drug that is undetectable. Why do you think BALCO is caught up in this. Theory: Bonds invested in BALCO to create such a steroid, “flaxseed oil”.

So you can blame Selig and the past two or three commissioners as well as the Donaldd Fehr and the past MLBPA reps for this quandry that is known as the steroid era.

By Richard Olcott

July 13, 2007 9:27 AM | Link to this

Right there with you, MB.

By ROID_KING

July 13, 2007 10:06 AM | Link to this

Why all the “lovefest” for this bum? He never acknowledged the fans, he was surly to the media and he IS the poster child for cheating to excell.

Some bring up Pete Rose…..HELLO!, he IS NOT IN THE HALL OF FAME BECAUSE HE DISCGRACED BASEBALL!!! Bonds should be kept out also.

Some chide Aaron & Bud for not going….WHY SHOULD THEY? To watch a cheater surpass a honorable roll model for baseball?

Some say many cheat….I agree.Palmero, Sosa,McGuire, even Clements……they most likely juice and they too are bums and dishonorable.

Let the whinner Bonds hit 756, let NO MLB officials be there, let the ESPN sellouts and Bonds enjoy it alone then lets forget it. Don’t treat it as a milestone, treat it as a bogus event. Let history show the Frankenstein created by MLB that, like WWE wrestling, turned a blind eye to juiced players to sell tickets. Now the monster is turning on them…..

By ROID_KING

July 13, 2007 10:16 AM | Link to this

Great post Mike!

By Bama Brave

July 13, 2007 10:51 AM | Link to this

Poor Bud Selig. No matter what he does, he can’t win. If he decides to be in attendance when Barry hits 756 he p…es off half of baseball and if he decides to stay away he p…es off the other half. Let the man do what HE feels is the right thing to do and leave it at that.

By Diogenes

July 13, 2007 11:21 AM | Link to this

Bottom line is that MLB chose some time ago not to confront the steroid issue head on, and thereby MLB forfeited any moral standing for using the steroid issue to refuse to recognize what Bonds has done.

No, I’m no Bonds fan — obviously, he’s juiced, and he’s a first-class jerk, to boot. His “record” will always have an “implied asterisk” next to it, and rightfully so. But having squandered any opportunity to avoid this mess years ago, Selig now has NO choice but to attend the festivities. He can hold his nose with one hand while he shakes Bonds’ hand with the other, but he should be there.

By Jim Staudt

July 13, 2007 11:29 AM | Link to this

Mark McGwire never admitted he took steroids either. The result? McGwire has been shunned by all who matter. The same treatment should be given to Barry “It’s All About Me” Bonds.

By Rocco Baldelli

July 13, 2007 12:06 PM | Link to this

Who Cares about Bond anyway—Who’s Barry Bond? Must be Mark Bradleys side kick. His Hall of Fame vote…

By Adam Krohn

July 13, 2007 12:29 PM | Link to this

Here’s MY column on Selig:

http://sundaypaper.com/CurrentArticles/tabid/98/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/343/071507-SPORTSTALK—Strikeout.aspx

By Kelley

July 13, 2007 12:35 PM | Link to this

The reported reason as to why Bonds began taking steroids to begin with speaks volumes about his character—because he was jealous of the attention McGuire and Sosa were receiving the year of their chase—and proves he is not a team player and only cares about himself. To me personally, that is more of an illustration of his lack of integrity than anything else.

That being said, Selig should be there when he breaks the record. MLB has allowed steroid abuse to go on for the main reason people turn their back on all other issues of irresponsible behavior—money. He is the suppossed leader of this organization, and as the leader, he should be there to witness the fruits of putting making money ahead of integrity.

As much as I love baseball and the Braves, what else do you expect from an organization that pays grown men hundreds of millions of dollars for catching or hitting a baseball? I watch 162 games a year and love baseball, but you have to admit, these guys are grossly overpaid when we have people like teachers who make the difference in kids lives making far less; it just goes to show how out of whack our values as a society are.

As the leader of MLB, Bud Selig most definately should be there. That’s what he’s paid to do, be there, for the good, and the ugly.

By kerrell goolsby

July 13, 2007 12:36 PM | Link to this

Selig shouldn’t go. Bonds is a cheater and for MLB to reward him would be like the Jews thanking the Nazis for the concentration camps! If Bud Selig has any common sense, he would not just place an asterisk by the record, he would weld it on!

By Skyblue

July 13, 2007 1:58 PM | Link to this

Did you all make much of this fuss when Mark hit all those hrs a few years ago lol?

By A-ville Ranger

July 13, 2007 4:59 PM | Link to this

Listen up people,if you think Bonds is a fraud as I do.If you think he has no integrity.Show your own by not going to a game he plays in,I thought so.Integrity is in short supply isn’t it ? For the record,I didn’t watch the all star game or any game he’s played in the past two years.What does it amount to ? nothing but self respect.Try it sometime,you may find you like it.

By JawjaHillbilly

July 13, 2007 8:15 PM | Link to this

Some nut actually said this about The Babe, the greatest home run hitter of all time, bar none!

””“Yeah, he’s the greatest home run hitter of all time playing on a tee-ball field against watered down (white-only) competition.”“”

If “white-only” competition was so watered down, then name all the NON-WHITE 300-game winners in baseball history. You won’t need a sheet of paper, you can do it on a chewing gum wrapper…. Like I SAID, some of the ALL TIME GREATS pitched during the Ruth era.

I’m not a racist in any way, shape, or form, but the nut who differs with me seems to be…

By JawjaHillbilly

July 13, 2007 8:30 PM | Link to this

I made an error in my last post.

You won’t need ANY paper, AT ALL!!

There are NO, NON-WHITE, 300-game winners!!

My how our presence has watered down the game….

By Jason

July 13, 2007 8:31 PM | Link to this

cy young was black, and he won over 500 games. yes huh, he was too black. i read it in a book.

By Jason

July 13, 2007 8:39 PM | Link to this

ty cobb was black too.

By JawjaHillbilly

July 13, 2007 8:41 PM | Link to this

Cy Young was about as black as James Brown was white…

By JawjaHillbilly

July 13, 2007 8:44 PM | Link to this

Hell, the Babe was black, but see, it didn’t matter to me!!

By Jason

July 13, 2007 9:07 PM | Link to this

“I’m not a racist in any way, shape, or form, but…”

c’mon dude, you’re racist. especially if you have to clarify (to yourself, of course) that you’re not (because everyone else can see that you are).

i mean, c’mon, you corrected yourself from saying chewing gum paper to no paper.

racist.

By JawjaHillbilly

July 13, 2007 10:33 PM | Link to this

Yes I did correct myself. That’s because I thought of Bob Gibson, Luis Tiant, Juan Marichal, (I doubt that spelling is correct, but I never claimed to be as smart as George Bush.. lol), Fergie Jenkins, Ramon Martinez, and many others, and decided I was probably wrong. I was gonna correct myself in the OTHER DIRECTION if I was. Turns out I was more than correct, so I corrected that too.

I wasn’t raised in a racist household. I wasn’t raised in a hateful household. BUT, I was raised in a household with lots if humor and laughs. Sometimes it’s taken the wrong way. Sometimes I go too far in trying to create a laugh. When I see somebody get really offended by something, sometimes I spur them on by saying EXACTLY what they DON’T want to hear… It really blows my mind that I’m accused of racism. If I were really a racist, I’d be reading about Golf, (I’d rather read about David Hasslehoff than golf; now THAT’S a true hatred of Golf!!), or bowling, (I’d rather watch Roseanne Barr bend over naked and eat strawberries from her enormous navel, than watch bowling), NASCAR, (dammitt, I do love NASCAR), or Curling, (do curlers even like curling, or is it Obsessive Compulsive Disorder gone wild??), or Pole Vaulting!!

I love professional sports. I want the best players on the field at all times. I pull for ANY player to get a records he DESERVES, no matter his skin color!! Not wanting the best players on the field, would be like not wanting a horse in the Kentucky Derby because his fur is a certain color. That’s ridiculous!! If Mark Maguire were about to break this record, I’d feel EXACTLY the same way!!

I was kidding about Hank, but not about Barry. Barry is a blown-up freak. Mark Maguire is a blown-up freak. Neither would deserve the home run title, it’s just that Barry is the one going after it. I personally hope he blows out a knee. He’s such a jerk, and on top of everything else, that’s really what he deserves!

By Guyman

July 13, 2007 11:48 PM | Link to this

There are some fairly intense comments from people who probably have no clue about Barry other than what they’ve read in the papers. A few of you could benefit from some time with Dr. Phil. Barry Bonds is an incredible player. Contrary to an earlier comment, when he played against Atlanta some years ago, Bonds, Bonilla, and Van Slyke all made me nervous. From what little I do know (or rather have seen in media) of Bonds, I’m no fan. However, I have played baseball and though much of what I see in Bonds is nauseating, the man is one of the best players period. If we really want to take issue with him, find someone who can consistently strike him out. In regard to Pete Rose, there will never ever be a player to play the game to win any more than he did. I’m not happy about his gambling on games, but then I’m not a big fan of gambling period. Pete Rose was as good as you will ever get for a player as a player. If we are going to deny him the Hall of Fame because of gambling his integrity away, then we might want to clean out some other players currently in the Hall who had character flaws far more damaging to themselves and those around them than Mr. Rose.